JP2022096259A - Sanitary washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sanitary washing device capable of reducing its size.SOLUTION: A sanitary washing device includes a plurality of function parts including a nozzle for discharging water to the private part of a user and a solenoid valve for opening/closing a water supply flow path to guide the water to the nozzle, and a plurality of driving parts including a nozzle driving part for controlling the nozzle to be moved forward and backward and a solenoid valve driving part for controlling the solenoid valve to be opened/closed, for controlling the plurality of function parts to be driven. A part of the plurality of driving parts, including the nozzle driving part, is accumulated on an integrated circuit, and the solenoid driving part is not included in the integrated circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Aspects of the invention generally relate to sanitary cleaning equipment.

In recent years, sanitary cleaning devices have become multifunctional, and drive circuits for driving each function are provided. If the number of drive circuits provided by increasing the number of functions increases, the size of the sanitary cleaning device may increase and the cost may increase. On the other hand, there is a method of integrating circuits as integrated circuits (ICs) (for example, Patent Document 1).
Some drive circuits of sanitary cleaning equipment have a relatively large power loss (or heat loss). When such a drive circuit is integrated with other drive circuits into an integrated circuit, the heat generation of the integrated circuit may increase. If the heat generated by the integrated circuit becomes large, it may lead to an increase in the size and cost of the entire component (entire product). For example, if a large heat dissipation structure (parts such as a heat sink) is provided, the overall size and cost may increase. Therefore, consolidating circuits as integrated circuits (ICs) in an attempt to achieve miniaturization and cost reduction may lead to an increase in size and cost.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-047252

The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cleaning device capable of miniaturization.

The first invention controls a plurality of functional parts including a nozzle for discharging water toward a local part of a user, a solenoid valve for opening and closing a water supply flow path for guiding water to the nozzle, and advancing and retreating of the nozzle. A plurality of drive units for controlling the drive of the plurality of functional units, including a nozzle drive unit for controlling the operation, a solenoid valve drive unit for controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve, and at least one of the plurality of drive units. The solenoid valve drive unit is a sanitary cleaning device characterized in that a part including the nozzle drive unit is integrated in an integrated circuit and the solenoid valve drive unit is not included in the integrated circuit.

According to this sanitary cleaning device, a part of a plurality of drive units including a nozzle drive unit having a relatively small power loss (or heat loss) is integrated in an integrated circuit, and an electromagnetic wave having a relatively large power loss (or heat loss) is integrated. By not including the valve drive unit in the integrated circuit, the sanitary cleaning device can be downsized and the cost increase can be suppressed.

The second invention further includes, in the first invention, a failure detection unit that detects a failure of at least a part of the plurality of functional units, and when the failure detection unit detects a failure, the solenoid valve drive unit. Is a sanitary cleaning device characterized in that control for closing the solenoid valve is executed.

When the drive unit is integrated in an integrated circuit, the responsiveness (response speed) of the drive unit may be lower than that in the case where the drive unit is not integrated. On the other hand, according to this sanitary cleaning device, since the solenoid valve drive unit is not included in the integrated circuit, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the responsiveness of the solenoid valve drive unit. Therefore, for example, when a failure is detected, the solenoid valve can be immediately closed, so that a decrease in user safety can be suppressed.

In the third aspect of the invention, in the first or second invention, the plurality of functional units include a flow rate adjusting unit for adjusting the flow rate of water supplied to the nozzle, and the plurality of driving units are the flow rate adjusting unit. The flow rate adjustment drive unit includes a flow rate adjustment drive unit that controls the drive of the device, and the flow rate adjustment drive unit is a sanitary cleaning device integrated in the integrated circuit.

According to this sanitary cleaning device, a flow rate adjusting drive unit having a relatively small power loss is integrated in an integrated circuit. As a result, the sanitary cleaning device can be made smaller. Further, even if the responsiveness of the flow rate adjustment drive unit is reduced by integrating the flow rate adjustment drive unit in the integrated circuit, the solenoid valve drive unit is not included in the integrated circuit, so that, for example, when a failure is detected. , The solenoid valve can be closed immediately. Therefore, the safety of the user can be further improved.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of functional units include a deodorizing function unit, and the plurality of driving units are deodorizing drives that control the driving of the deodorizing function unit. The deodorizing drive unit is a sanitary cleaning device including a unit, which is integrated in the integrated circuit.

According to this sanitary cleaning device, a deodorizing drive unit having a relatively small power loss is integrated in an integrated circuit. As a result, the sanitary cleaning device can be made smaller.

According to the aspect of the present invention, a sanitary cleaning device capable of miniaturization is provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the toilet apparatus provided with the sanitary cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main part structure of the sanitary cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main part structure of the sanitary cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows another example of the main part composition of the sanitary cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet device provided with a sanitary cleaning device according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device includes a sitting toilet bowl (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “toilet bowl” for convenience of explanation) 800, and a sanitary cleaning device 100 installed on the toilet bowl. The sanitary cleaning device 100 includes a casing 400, a toilet seat 200, and a toilet lid 300. The toilet seat 200 and the toilet lid 300 are pivotally supported with respect to the casing 400 so as to be openable and closable.

Inside the casing 400, there is a built-in local cleaning function unit that realizes local cleaning of the "buttocks" of the user sitting on the toilet seat 200. Further, for example, the casing 400 is provided with a seating detection sensor 404 that detects the user's seating on the toilet seat 200.

When the seating detection sensor 404 detects the user sitting on the toilet seat 200, when the user operates the operation unit 500 (see FIG. 2) such as a remote controller, the local cleaning nozzle (for convenience of the following description, simply " The 473 (referred to as "nozzle") can be advanced into the bowl 801 of the toilet bowl 800 or retracted from the bowl 801. In the sanitary cleaning device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle 473 represents a state in which the nozzle 473 has advanced into the bowl 801.

The nozzle 473 discharges the water (washing water) supplied from the water supply source toward the human body local part to wash the human body local part. A bidet washing spout port 474a and a buttocks washing spout port 474b are provided at the tip of the nozzle 473. The nozzle 473 can inject water from the bidet washing spout 474a provided at the tip thereof to wash the female local part of the woman sitting on the toilet seat 200. Alternatively, the nozzle 473 can inject water from the buttocks washing spout 474b provided at the tip thereof to wash the "buttocks" of the user sitting on the toilet seat 200. The range of "water" may include not only cold water but also heated hot water.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the sanitary cleaning device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 2 also shows the main components of the water channel system and the electrical system.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sanitary cleaning device 100 includes a power supply circuit 401, a circuit unit 30, and a plurality of functional units 40. These are provided inside the casing 400.

The power supply circuit 401 is connected to an AC power supply (for example, a commercial power supply of AC100V (execution value)) via an outlet plug. The power supply circuit 401 converts the AC power supplied from the AC power supply into direct current and supplies it to each part of the circuit unit 30 and each functional part 40. The power supply circuit 401 is, for example, an AC / DC converter.

The circuit unit 30 is a circuit that drives and controls a plurality of functional units 40. A plurality of drive units 50 (see FIG. 3), a control unit 405, and the like, which will be described later, are collectively represented as a circuit unit 30 for convenience. As will be described later, at least a part of the drive unit and the like included in the circuit unit 30 may be integrated and integrally provided, or a part thereof may be provided as a plurality of separate circuits physically dispersed. It may have been. An example of the circuit unit 30 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 and the like.

As the functional unit 40, for example, a solenoid valve 431, a heating function unit 485, a sterilizing water unit 450, a flow rate adjusting unit 471, a nozzle unit 475, an opening / closing mechanism 420, a deodorizing unit 480 (deodorizing function unit), and the like are provided. The heating function unit 485 has a heating function and includes, for example, a hot water unit 440 and a toilet seat heating unit 482.

The sanitary cleaning device 100 has a water guiding unit 20. The water guide portion 20 has a pipeline 20a (water supply flow path) from a water supply source 10 such as a water supply or a water storage tank to a nozzle 473. The water guide unit 20 guides the water supplied from the water supply source 10 to the nozzle 473 by the pipeline 20a. The pipeline 20a is formed by, for example, each part such as a solenoid valve 431, a hot water unit 440, and a flow rate adjusting part 471, and a plurality of pipes connecting these parts.

A solenoid valve 431 is provided downstream of the water supply source 10. The solenoid valve 431 is a solenoid valve that can be opened and closed, and controls the supply of water based on a command from a circuit unit 30 (control unit 405) provided inside the casing 400. In other words, the solenoid valve 431 opens and closes the pipeline 20a. By opening the solenoid valve 431, the water supplied from the water supply source 10 flows into the pipeline 20a.

The solenoid valve 431 is, for example, a solenoid valve called a solenoid valve. When the solenoid valve 431 is switched from the closed state to the open state (during driving), the plunger is moved by energizing the solenoid coil to switch to the open state of the flow path. When the energization of the solenoid coil is stopped, the open state is switched to the closed state (when stopped).

A hot water unit 440 (heating unit) is provided downstream of the solenoid valve 431. The hot water unit 440 has a hot water heater, and heats the water supplied from the water supply source 10 by energizing the hot water heater to raise the temperature to, for example, a specified temperature. That is, the hot water unit 440 produces hot water.

The hot water unit 440 is an instant heating type (instantaneous type) heat exchanger using, for example, a ceramic heater. The instantaneous heating type heat exchanger can raise the temperature of water to a specified temperature in a short time as compared with the hot water storage heating type heat exchanger using the hot water storage tank. The hot water unit 440 is not limited to the instantaneous heating type heat exchanger, and may be a hot water storage heating type heat exchanger. Further, the heating unit is not limited to the heat exchanger, and may be one using another heating method, for example, one using microwave heating.

The hot water unit 440 is connected to the circuit unit 30. The control unit 405 raises the temperature of the water to the temperature set by the operation unit 500 by controlling the hot water unit 440 in response to the operation of the operation unit 500 by the user, for example.

A sterilizing water unit 450 is provided downstream of the hot water unit 440. The sterilizing water unit 450 is, for example, an electrolytic cell unit having an electrode. The disinfectant water unit 450 generates a liquid containing hypochlorous acid (sterilized water) from tap water by applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes to electrolyze the tap water flowing between the electrodes. The sterilizing water unit 450 is connected to the circuit unit 30. The sterilizing water unit 450 generates sterilized water (functional water) based on the control by the control unit 405.

The sterilized water generated in the sterilized water unit 450 may be, for example, a solution containing metal ions such as silver ions and copper ions. Alternatively, the sterilized water produced in the sterilized water unit 450 may be a solution containing electrolytic chlorine, ozone, or the like. The functional water produced in the sterilizing water unit 450 may be acidic water or alkaline water.

A flow rate adjusting unit 471 is provided downstream of the sterilizing water unit 450. The flow rate adjusting unit 471 adjusts the flow rate (water force) of the water supplied to the nozzle 473. The flow rate adjusting unit 471 is connected to the circuit unit 30. The operation of the flow rate adjusting unit 471 is controlled by the control unit 405. For example, the flow rate adjusting unit 471 has an adjusting valve and a flow rate adjusting motor. The flow rate adjusting unit 471 adjusts the flow rate by changing the width of the water channel by moving the adjusting valve by the flow rate adjusting motor based on the command from the control unit 405. As the flow rate adjusting motor, for example, a stepping motor is used.

A nozzle unit 475 is provided downstream of the flow rate adjusting unit 471. The nozzle unit 475 has a nozzle motor 476 and a nozzle 473. The nozzle motor 476 is connected to the circuit unit 30. The nozzle 473 receives a driving force from the nozzle motor 476 and advances into the bowl 801 of the toilet bowl 800 or retracts from the bowl 801. That is, the nozzle motor 476 advances and retracts the nozzle 473 based on the command from the control unit 405. For the nozzle motor 476, for example, a stepping motor is used. The nozzle unit 475 may have a nozzle cleaning unit (not shown) for cleaning the outer peripheral surface (body) of the nozzle 473.

The sanitary cleaning device 100 may be appropriately provided with a pressure regulating valve, a check valve, a vacuum breaker, a pressure modulation unit, a flow path switching unit, a spray nozzle, and the like, which are not shown. The pressure regulating valve and the check valve are provided, for example, between the solenoid valve 431 and the hot water unit 440. The vacuum breaker and the pressure modulation unit are provided, for example, between the sterilizing water unit 450 and the flow rate adjusting unit 471. The pressure modulation unit fluctuates the pressure of water in the pipeline 20a. The flow path switching unit is provided, for example, between the flow rate adjusting unit 471 and the nozzle unit 475. The flow path switching unit opens and closes and switches the water supply to the nozzle 473. The flow path switching unit may be provided as one unit together with the flow rate adjusting unit. The flow path switching unit switches, for example, a state in which each water discharge port of the nozzle 473 is communicated with the conduit 20a and a state in which the nozzle 473 is not communicated with the conduit 20a. The spray nozzle is provided, for example, downstream of the flow path switching portion. The spray nozzle makes the washing water or the functional water into a mist and sprays it onto the bowl 801.

The sanitary cleaning device 100 has a first temperature sensor 491 and a second temperature sensor 492. The first temperature sensor 491 has, for example, a thermistor (hot water thermistor) and detects the temperature of water supplied to the nozzle 473. Specifically, the first temperature sensor 491 is provided in the hot water unit 440 or on the downstream side of the hot water unit 440, and detects the temperature of the water heated by the hot water unit 440 and supplied to the downstream side. The control unit 405 controls the drive of the hot water unit 440, for example, on / off of the heater, based on the measurement result by the first temperature sensor 491. The measurement result of the temperature sensor is, for example, a current value or a voltage value corresponding to the resistance value of the thermistor.

The second temperature sensor 492 has, for example, a thermistor (limit thermistor). The second temperature sensor 492 is provided, for example, on the downstream side of the first temperature sensor 491 and detects the temperature of the water supplied to the nozzle 473. For example, based on the measurement result of the second temperature sensor 492, the control unit 405 drives the solenoid valve 431 to supply water to the downstream side when the temperature of the water supplied to the downstream side is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature. Stop. This makes it possible to further improve the safety of the user.

The control unit 405 includes a solenoid valve 431, a hot water unit 440, a disinfectant water unit 450, a flow rate adjusting unit 471, a nozzle motor 476, and the like based on signals from the human body detection sensor 403, the seating detection sensor 404, the operation unit 500, and the like. Control the operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the human body detection sensor 403 is provided so as to be embedded in a recessed portion 409 formed on the upper surface of the casing 400, and detects a user (human body) at a position away from the toilet seat 200. .. In other words, the human body detection sensor 403 detects a user in the vicinity of the sanitary cleaning device 100. Further, a transmission window 310 is provided at the rear of the toilet lid 300. Therefore, when the toilet lid 300 is closed, the human body detection sensor 403 can detect the presence of the user through the transmission window 310. For the human body detection sensor 403, for example, a distance measuring sensor using infrared rays, a pyroelectric sensor, a microwave sensor, or the like is used. However, the human body detection sensor 403 is not limited to these, and may be any sensor that can detect a user at a position away from the toilet seat 200.

The seating detection sensor 404 detects a human body existing above the toilet seat 200 immediately before the user sits on the toilet seat 200, and a user seated on the toilet seat 200. As such a seating detection sensor 404, for example, an infrared light emitting / receiving type distance measuring sensor can be used. As the seating detection sensor 404, for example, a microwave sensor, a pyroelectric sensor, or the like may be used. Further, the seating detection sensor 404 may be, for example, a mechanical switch for detecting the movement of the toilet seat 200, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like, or a capacitance sensor for detecting a change in capacitance due to sitting. Alternatively, a piezoelectric sensor or the like that detects a change in pressure due to sitting may be used.

The opening / closing mechanism 420 drives the toilet seat 200 and / or the toilet lid 300 to open / close. The opening / closing mechanism 420 is configured by, for example, a motor or the like, and is connected to the circuit unit 30. The control unit 405 controls the opening / closing mechanism 420 based on the signals from the human body detection sensor 403, the seating detection sensor 404, the operation unit 500, etc., and moves the toilet seat 200 and / or the toilet lid 300 to the closed position and the open position. Let me.

The deodorizing unit 480 has a deodorizing fan, and by operating the deodorizing fan, the air in the bowl 801 is sucked and the odorous components such as stool odor contained in the sucked air are reduced. An exhaust port 407 (FIG. 1) from the deodorizing unit 480 is provided on the side surface of the casing 400. The deodorizing unit 480 has a deodorizing member that deodorizes using, for example, a catalyst using activated carbon. When air comes into contact with the deodorizing member, odorous components such as ammonia contained in the air are adsorbed on the deodorizing member. Thereby, the odor component contained in the air can be reduced. However, the deodorizing unit 480 is not limited to the above, and may have a configuration capable of deodorizing the sucked air. The deodorizing unit 480 is connected to the circuit unit 30. The control unit 405 controls the drive of the deodorizing fan (motor) based on, for example, signals from the seating detection sensor 404 and the operation unit 500.

The toilet seat heating unit 482 has a toilet seat heater that warms the seating surface of the toilet seat 200. The toilet seat heater is, for example, a heating wire that generates heat by passing an electric current. The toilet seat heater is provided, for example, in the internal space of the toilet seat 200, and warms the seating surface from the back side (inside of the toilet seat 200). The toilet seat heating unit 482 is connected to the circuit unit 30.

The sanitary cleaning device 100 has a third temperature sensor 493. The third temperature sensor 493 has, for example, a thermistor (toilet seat thermistor) and detects the temperature of the toilet seat 200. The control unit 405 controls the drive of the toilet seat heating unit 482, that is, the on / off of energization to the toilet seat heater, based on the signal from the operation unit 500 and the seating detection sensor 404 and the measurement result by the third temperature sensor 493.

Further, the casing 400 is provided with various functional units such as a "warm air drying unit" and an "indoor heating unit" that blow warm air toward the "buttocks" of the user sitting on the toilet seat 200 to dry them. May be. At this time, a discharge port 408 (FIG. 1) from the indoor heating unit is appropriately provided on the side surface of the casing 400.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the sanitary cleaning device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a part of the configuration of the electric system of the sanitary cleaning device 100 including the circuit unit 30 and the functional unit 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit unit 30 includes a plurality of drive units 50, a conversion circuit 70, a processing unit 72, a comparator unit 74, and a control unit 405.

The conversion circuit 70 converts the electric power supplied from the power supply circuit 401 into DC electric power corresponding to the control unit 405 and the processing unit 72. The conversion circuit 70 is a so-called step-down DC-DC converter. The conversion circuit 70, for example, steps down the voltage of 24V input from the power supply circuit 401 to 5V and outputs it to the control unit 405 and the processing unit 72. The control unit 405 and the processing unit 72 are operated by the electric power from the conversion circuit 70.

Each of the plurality of drive units 50 is connected to each of the plurality of function units 40 and controls the drive of each function unit 40. Specifically, each drive unit 50 is a drive circuit having a transistor or the like and having a role as a switch. For example, the drive unit 50 is connected to the functional unit 40 and its power supply. The drive unit 50 controls (for example, on / off) the supply of electric power to the connected functional unit 40 based on a command from the control unit 405. For example, the drive unit 50 is in a state of supplying electric power to the functional unit 40 to drive the functional unit 40 (on state) and in a state of stopping the supply of electric power to the functional unit 40 and not driving the functional unit 40 (off state). And switch. In the on state, the functional unit 40 and its power source are energized via, for example, the drive unit 50, and the functional unit 40 operates by the electric power from the power source. In the off state, the drive unit 50 cuts off the energization between the functional unit 40 and the power supply, for example, and the functional unit 40 stops the operation. The drive unit 50 may include a plurality of switching elements (transistors and the like) and resistors, and may include a bridge circuit (for example, an H-bridge circuit).

The plurality of drive units 50 include, for example, a deodorizing drive unit 51, a disinfectant water drive unit 52, a nozzle drive unit 53, a flow rate adjustment drive unit 54, and a solenoid valve drive unit 55.
The deodorizing drive unit 51 is connected to the deodorizing unit 480 and controls the driving of the deodorizing fan (motor) of the deodorizing unit 480 based on the signal from the control unit 405.
The sterilizing water driving unit 52 is connected to the sterilizing water unit 450, and controls the driving of the sterilizing water unit 450, that is, the energization of the electrodes, based on the signal from the control unit 405.
The nozzle drive unit 53 is connected to the nozzle unit 475 and controls the drive of the nozzle motor 476 of the nozzle unit 475, that is, the advance / retreat of the nozzle 473, based on the signal from the control unit 405.
The flow rate adjustment drive unit 54 is connected to the flow rate adjustment unit 471 and controls the drive of the flow rate adjustment motor of the flow rate adjustment unit 471 based on the signal from the control unit 405.
The solenoid valve drive unit 55 is connected to the solenoid valve 431 and controls the drive of the solenoid valve 431, that is, the energization of the solenoid coil, based on the signal from the control unit 405 or the comparator unit 74.

The second temperature sensor 492 (limit thermistor) is connected to the comparator unit 74 and the control unit 405. The measurement result of the second temperature sensor 492 is output to the comparator unit 74 and the control unit 405. Based on the output from the second temperature sensor 492, the control unit 405 controls the solenoid valve drive unit 55 to close the solenoid valve 431 when the detected water temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The comparator unit 74 has a comparator and compares the output from the second temperature sensor 492 with a predetermined threshold value. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the detected water temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature. When the detected water temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the comparator section 74 controls the solenoid valve drive section 55 to close the solenoid valve 431 and maintain that state. Even if one of the comparator section 74 and the control section 405 fails, the solenoid valve 431 can be closed based on the signal from the other. This makes it possible to further improve safety.

The control unit 405 is, for example, an arithmetic unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like, and an integrated circuit such as a microcomputer is used. The processing unit 72 has, for example, a logic circuit. The processing unit 72 is connected to a control unit 405, a deodorizing drive unit 51, a sterilizing water drive unit 52, a nozzle drive unit 53, and a flow rate adjustment drive unit 54. Communication between the control unit 405 and the drive unit 50 connected to the processing unit 72 is performed via the processing unit 72.

For communication between the control unit 405 and the processing unit 72, for example, synchronous serial communication is used. The control unit 405 transmits, for example, a clock signal or a data signal to the processing unit 72.

The processing unit 72 has a register. A command for instructing the operation of the drive unit 50 (operation of the functional unit 40) connected to the processing unit 72 is stored in the register. For example, commands such as turning on / off the deodorizing fan, advancing / retracting the nozzle, and increasing / decreasing the flow rate are stored in the register.

The control unit 405 sends and receives a signal including command information to and from the processing unit 72. The processing unit 72 logically operates the signal from the control unit 405, and transmits the signal corresponding to the command to the drive unit 50 corresponding to the command. As a result, the control unit 405 controls the drive of the function unit 40 by controlling the drive unit 50 via the processing unit 72.

Further, the register stores commands corresponding to the states of the functional unit 40 and the drive unit 50 (for example, defects such as open, short circuit, overheat, and overcurrent). As a result, the processing unit 72 can notify the control unit 405 of the malfunction of the function unit 40 and the drive unit 50.

For example, the current for driving the solenoid valve 431 is larger than the current for driving the deodorizing fan, the current for driving the disinfectant water unit 450, the current for driving the nozzle motor, and the current for driving the flow rate adjusting motor.
For example, the power loss (W) in the electromagnetic valve drive unit 55 when driving the electromagnetic valve 431 is the power loss in the deodorizing drive unit 51 when driving the deodorizing fan, and the power loss in the disinfecting water driving unit 52 when driving the disinfecting water unit. The power loss in the nozzle drive unit 53 when the nozzle motor is driven and the power loss in the flow rate adjustment drive unit 54 when the flow rate adjustment motor is driven are larger than each.
For example, the calorific value (heat loss) in the solenoid valve drive unit 55 when driving the solenoid valve 431 is the calorific value in the deodorizing drive unit 51 when driving the deodorizing fan, and the heat generation in the sterilizing water driving unit 52 when driving the sterilizing water unit. The amount is larger than the amount of heat generated by the nozzle drive unit 53 when driving the nozzle motor, and the amount of heat generated by the flow rate adjusting drive unit 54 when driving the flow rate adjusting motor.

As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit unit 30 includes an integrated circuit 32. In the embodiment, a part of the plurality of drive units 50 including at least the nozzle drive unit 53 is integrated in the integrated circuit 32. In this example, the conversion circuit 70, the processing unit 72, the deodorizing drive unit 51, the disinfectant water drive unit 52, the nozzle drive unit 53, the flow rate adjustment drive unit 54, and the comparator unit 74 are integrated as an integrated circuit 32. The integrated circuit 32 is an IC in which a plurality of circuits are integrated into one package. For example, the integrated circuit 32 is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and is one IC chip (semiconductor chip). The circuit area can be reduced by consolidating a plurality of drive units 50 and the like.

On the other hand, the solenoid valve drive unit 55 is not included in the integrated circuit 32. For example, the solenoid valve drive unit 55 is not integrated into an IC including another drive unit 50. The solenoid valve drive unit 55 is provided as a separate body from the integrated circuit 32.

As described above, according to the embodiment, a part of the plurality of drive units 50 including the nozzle drive unit 53 having a relatively small power loss (heat loss) is integrated in the integrated circuit 32, and the power loss (heat loss) is relatively small. By not including the solenoid valve drive unit 55 having a large size in the integrated circuit 32, the sanitary cleaning device can be miniaturized and the cost increase can be suppressed. For example, it is not necessary to provide a relatively large heat dissipation structure for the integrated circuit 32.

Further, in this example, the deodorizing drive unit 51, the disinfectant water drive unit 52, and the flow rate adjustment drive unit 54, which have a relatively small power loss (heat loss), are integrated in the integrated circuit 32. As a result, the sanitary cleaning device 100 can be further miniaturized.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of the main part configuration of the sanitary cleaning device according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit unit 30 includes a plurality of drive units 50, a conversion circuit 70, a processing unit 72, a comparator unit 74, and a control unit 405, as in the description with respect to FIG. ..

In this example, as the plurality of drive units 50, a heating drive unit 56 that controls the drive of the heating function unit 485 is further provided. The heating drive unit 56 includes a toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 and a hot water heater heating drive unit 562. The toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 and the hot water heater heating drive unit 562 may be provided separately and operate independently of each other.

The toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 is connected to the toilet seat heating unit 482, and controls the drive of the toilet seat heating unit 482, that is, the energization of the toilet seat heater, based on the signal from the control unit 405.
The hot water heater heating drive unit 562 is connected to the hot water unit 440 and controls the drive of the hot water unit 440, that is, the energization of the hot water heater, based on the signal from the control unit 405.

Further, the circuit unit 30 is further provided with a temperature information circuit (hot water temperature information circuit unit 92, toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93). The hot water temperature information circuit unit 92 is a circuit that reads information from the first temperature sensor 491. The toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93 is a circuit that reads information from the third temperature sensor 493. The temperature information circuit unit receives an output signal including temperature information detected by the temperature sensor, appropriately converts it, and outputs a signal including the temperature information to the control unit 405. For example, the temperature information circuit unit may convert the analog signal output from the thermistor into a digital signal. The temperature information circuit unit may convert the output signal from the thermistor into a signal indicating the temperature based on the conversion table stored in advance.

The circuit unit 30 is further provided with a failure detection unit 80. The failure detection unit 80 detects at least a part of the failures of the plurality of functional units 40. The failure detection unit 80 may include a plurality of failure detection circuits. In this example, a toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81 and a hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 are provided as failure detection circuits. Each failure detection circuit is connected to any one of the plurality of drive units 50.

The toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81 is connected to, for example, the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 and detects a failure of the toilet seat heating unit 482. The hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 is connected to, for example, a hot water heater heating drive unit 562, and detects a failure of the hot water unit 440.

When a failure occurs in the functional unit 40 to which the drive unit 50 is connected, the current flowing through the drive unit 50 changes. For example, if a short circuit occurs in the functional unit 40, an overcurrent may flow in the functional unit 40 and the drive unit 50. Each failure detection circuit can detect a failure of the functional unit 40 to which the drive unit 50 is connected, for example, by detecting the current of the connected drive unit 50. Further, the failure detection circuit may detect a failure by detecting the voltage (potential) or temperature in the drive unit 50 or the function unit 40. The failure detected by the failure detection circuit is not limited to the short circuit failure, and may be an open failure or other failure.

For the detection of the current flowing through the drive unit 50, an arbitrary configuration capable of detecting the current of the drive unit 50 may be appropriately applied. For example, a detection element such as a transistor or a resistor connected to the drive unit 50 is provided to detect the current. The current flowing through the detection element and the voltage in the detection element change according to the current flowing through the drive unit 50. By detecting the current or voltage (potential of the element), the current of the drive unit 50 can be detected. A known configuration of a current detection circuit may be appropriately applied to the failure detection circuit. The configuration of the failure detection circuit is not limited to the above, and may be any configuration capable of detecting a defect in the functional unit 40.

The toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81 may detect an abnormality (overcurrent and / or overheat) of the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561. The hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 may detect an abnormality (overcurrent and / or overheat) of the hot water heater heating drive unit 562.

A comparator that compares the magnitude with the reference value may be used for detecting a failure (overcurrent, overheating, etc.). Failure can be detected by comparing the magnitude of the voltage in the detection element and the preset reference voltage with a comparator. For example, the failure detection circuit determines that a failure has occurred when the voltage in the detection element exceeds the reference voltage. The reference voltage may be appropriately set for each functional unit 40 (for each drive unit 50) so that a failure can be detected. Further, the criteria for whether or not the functional unit 40 is overcurrent (or overheated) may be appropriately determined in consideration of whether or not the functional unit 40 can operate stably and safely.

When the failure detection unit 80 detects a failure, the control unit 405 can control the solenoid valve drive unit 55 to close the solenoid valve 431. For example, when a failure of the hot water unit 440 is detected, the control unit 405 closes the solenoid valve 431. That is, when the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 detects a failure, the control unit 405 receives a signal from the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 indicating that the failure has occurred. Then, the control unit 405 controls the solenoid valve drive unit 55 to drive the solenoid valve 431 into a closed state. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent high-temperature water from being discharged from the nozzle 473, and it is possible to further improve the safety of the user.

The control unit 405 may close the solenoid valve 431 when a failure of the toilet seat heating unit 482 is detected. That is, when the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81 detects a failure, the control unit 405 receives a signal from the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81 indicating that a failure has occurred. Then, the control unit 405 may control the solenoid valve drive unit 55 to close the solenoid valve 431.

Further, the control unit 405 can control the heating drive unit 56 to stop the drive of the heating function unit 485 when the failure detection unit 80 detects a failure of the heating function unit 485.
For example, when the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81 detects a failure of the toilet seat heating unit 482, the control unit 405 receives a signal from the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81 indicating that a failure has occurred. Then, the control unit 405 controls the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 to stop driving the toilet seat heating unit 482, that is, stop energizing the toilet seat heater.
For example, when the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 detects a failure of the hot water unit 440, the control unit 405 receives a signal from the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 indicating that the failure has occurred. Then, the control unit 405 controls the hot water heater heating drive unit 562 to stop driving the hot water unit 440, that is, stop energizing the hot water heater.

As shown in FIG. 4, the heating drive unit 56 (toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561, hot water heater heating drive unit 562), toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81, hot water heater failure detection circuit 82, hot water temperature information circuit unit 92, and The toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93 is not included in the integrated circuit 32. For example, the heating drive unit 56, the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81, the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82, the hot water temperature information circuit unit 92, and the toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93 are not integrated into the IC and are separate from the integrated circuit 32. It is provided as. The heating drive unit 56, the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81, the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82, the hot water temperature information circuit unit 92, and the toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93 may be provided separately from each other.

The solenoid valve drive unit 55, the heating drive unit 56, the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81, the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82, the hot water temperature information circuit unit 92, and the toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93 each perform calculations like the processing unit 72. It is possible to communicate with the control unit 405 without going through the device. As a result, the communication speed (response speed) can be improved.

Although not shown, similar failure detection circuits may be provided in each of the deodorizing drive unit 51, the disinfectant water drive unit 52, the nozzle drive unit 53, and the flow rate adjustment drive unit 54. When each of these failure detection circuits detects a failure, it transmits a signal indicating that a failure has occurred to the control unit 405 via the processing unit 72. Upon receiving the signal, the control unit 405 may control the solenoid valve drive unit 55 to close the solenoid valve 431 or control the heating drive unit 56 to stop the drive of the heating function unit 485. good.

Further, when a failure is detected by at least one of the failure detection circuits of the failure detection unit 80, the drive of any function unit 40 other than the solenoid valve 431 and the heating function unit 485 may be stopped or driven. For example, when a failure is detected, the nozzle motor 476 may be driven to retract the nozzle 473. Further, when a failure is detected, the drive may be stopped or driven not only by one but also by a plurality of functional units 40.

When the drive unit 50 is integrated in an integrated circuit, the responsiveness (response speed) of the drive unit 50 may be lower than that in the case where the drive unit 50 is not integrated. When a failure of a component is detected and an attempt is made to stop or drive the functional unit 40, a time lag occurs if the responsiveness of the drive unit 50 that controls the drive of the functional unit 40 is reduced, resulting in a function. It takes time to stop or drive the unit 40. More specifically, if the responsiveness of the heating drive unit 56 is reduced when a failure of any of the drive units 50 or the function unit 40 is detected, it takes time to stop the drive of the heating function unit 485. It takes. Alternatively, when a failure of any of the drive units 50 or the functional unit 40 is detected and the solenoid valve 431 is attempted to be closed, if the responsiveness of the solenoid valve drive unit 55 is reduced, the solenoid valve 431 is determined. It takes time to close.

On the other hand, according to the embodiment, since the heating drive unit 56 is not included in the integrated circuit 32, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the responsiveness of the heating drive unit 56. Therefore, for example, when a failure is detected, the driving of the heating function unit 485 can be stopped promptly. Therefore, the safety of the user can be further improved.

Further, since the solenoid valve drive unit 55 is not included in the integrated circuit 32, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the responsiveness of the solenoid valve drive unit 55. Therefore, for example, when a failure is detected, the solenoid valve 431 can be immediately closed, so that the safety of the user can be further improved.

Further, even if the responsiveness of the flow rate adjustment drive unit 54 is lowered by integrating the flow rate adjustment drive unit 54 in the integrated circuit 32, the solenoid valve drive unit 55 is not included in the integrated circuit 32. Therefore, for example, When a failure is detected, the solenoid valve 431 can be immediately closed. Therefore, the safety of the user can be improved.

Further, since the temperature information circuit (hot water temperature information circuit unit 92, toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93) is not included in the integrated circuit 32, the temperature information circuit of the temperature information circuit is compared with the case where the temperature information circuit is included in the integrated circuit 32. It is possible to suppress a decrease in responsiveness. As a result, the control unit 405 can quickly detect that the water supplied to the nozzle 473 has become hot due to, for example, a failure of the heating function unit 485. For example, it is possible to prevent the user from being exposed to high-temperature water (hot water), and it is possible to further improve the safety of the user.

For example, heating of the toilet seat heater is triggered by the user sitting on the toilet seat. Also, the frequency with which the user sits on the toilet seat is higher than the frequency with which the user uses the local cleaning function. Therefore, for example, if the toilet seat heater is out of order, it is likely to affect the user. On the other hand, according to the embodiment, since the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 is not included in the integrated circuit 32, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the responsiveness of the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561. Thereby, for example, when a failure of the toilet seat heater is detected, the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 can be quickly stopped. Therefore, the safety of the user can be further improved. For example, it is possible to prevent the toilet seat from becoming hot.

Further, the failure detection unit 80 can detect a failure for each function unit 40 by a failure detection circuit provided for each function unit 40 (each drive unit 50). In the embodiment, a failure detection unit 80 for detecting a failure of the heating function unit 485 is provided. This makes it possible to stop only the driving of the heating function unit 485 when the heating function unit 485 fails. Therefore, the functional unit 40 that does not affect the safety of the user can be continuously used, and it is possible to prevent the user from being inconvenienced while ensuring the safety of the user.

For example, in a power supply IC or the like, a protection function circuit connected to a plurality of drive circuits is provided, a threshold value is set for the circuit, and when an overcurrent or overheat is detected, the entire function of the sanitary cleaning device is stopped. You can also think of a way to make it. However, in this case, the set threshold value may be too high or too low for the individual drive unit 50 or the functional unit 40. Safety can be improved by setting a low threshold value, but if the threshold value is too low, even functions that are not actually abnormal may be stopped, resulting in poor usability. On the other hand, in the embodiment, as described above, when detecting overcurrent or overheating, a threshold value can be set for each drive unit 50 (each function unit 40). This makes it possible to improve usability while further improving safety.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. The above-mentioned embodiments which have been appropriately designed by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, installation form, etc. of each element included in the sanitary cleaning device are not limited to those exemplified, and can be appropriately changed.
Further, the elements included in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as technically possible, and the combination thereof is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the features of the present invention are included.

10 Water supply source, 20 Water guide, 20a pipeline, 30 Circuit, 32 Integrated circuit, 40 Function, 50 Drive, 51 Deodorizing drive, 52 Disinfectant water drive, 53 Nozzle drive, 54 Flow adjustment drive , 55 Electromagnetic valve drive unit, 56 Heating drive unit, 70 Conversion circuit, 72 Processing unit, 74 Comparator unit, 80 Failure detection unit, 81 Toilet seat heater failure detection circuit, 82 Hot water heater failure detection circuit, 92 Hot water temperature information circuit unit, 93 Toilet seat temperature information circuit unit, 100 sanitary cleaning device, 200 toilet seat, 300 toilet lid, 310 transmission window, 400 casing, 401 power supply circuit, 403 human body detection sensor, 404 seating detection sensor, 405 control unit, 407 exhaust port, 408 exhaust Outlet, 409 concave part, 420 opening / closing mechanism, 431 electromagnetic valve, 440 hot water unit, 450 disinfectant water unit, 471 flow control unit, 473 nozzle, 474a bidet cleaning spout, 474b toilet cleaning spout, 475 nozzle unit, 476 Nozzle motor, 480 deodorizing unit, 482 toilet seat heating unit, 485 heating function unit, 491-493 1st to 3rd temperature sensors, 561 toilet seat heater heating drive unit, 562 hot water heater heating drive unit, 800 toilet bowl, 801 bowl

Claims (4)

A plurality of functional parts including a nozzle that discharges water toward a local part of the user and a solenoid valve that opens and closes a water supply flow path that guides water to the nozzle.
A plurality of drive units that control the drive of the plurality of functional units, including a nozzle drive unit that controls the advancement and retreat of the nozzle, and a solenoid valve drive unit that controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve.
Equipped with
At least a part of the plurality of drive units including the nozzle drive unit is integrated in an integrated circuit.
The solenoid valve drive unit is a sanitary cleaning device, which is not included in the integrated circuit. Further, a failure detection unit for detecting a failure of at least a part of the plurality of functional units is provided.
The sanitary cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein when the failure detecting unit detects a failure, the solenoid valve driving unit is controlled to close the solenoid valve. The plurality of functional units include a flow rate adjusting unit that adjusts the flow rate of water supplied to the nozzle.
The plurality of drive units include a flow rate adjustment drive unit that controls the drive of the flow rate adjustment unit.
The sanitary cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow rate adjusting drive unit is integrated in the integrated circuit. The plurality of functional units include a deodorizing functional unit.
The plurality of driving units include a deodorizing driving unit that controls driving of the deodorizing function unit.
The sanitary cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the deodorizing drive unit is integrated in the integrated circuit.

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